Sins of the spirit, blessings of the flesh—find balance in body and spirit today.

--> Join and support the community: https://www.creationspaths.com/

In this episode of _Church of the Oak_, Christopagan Druid Charlie discusses the often-overlooked concept of "sins of the spirit and blessings of the flesh." They challenge the traditional Christian dichotomy of body and spirit, influenced by Neoplatonic and Augustinian thought, which vilifies the body and exalts the spirit. Instead, Charlie advocates for a balanced understanding, where both flesh and spirit are essential and neutral, with their ethical implications depending on how they are expressed in life. They emphasize that spirituality can be just as dangerous as fleshly desires when misused, urging listeners to avoid over-spiritualizing and stay grounded in both their bodies and the real world.

Charlie's exploration touches on various religious and philosophical traditions, including Gnosticism, Neoplatonism, and early Christian thought. They argue against oversimplified black-and-white thinking and call for nuance in both spirituality and daily life. The episode also emphasizes the importance of discernment, accountability, and empathy in spiritual practice, warning against cult-like behaviors that demand isolation from loved ones or over spiritualizing illness in the hopes of miraculous cures.

Thank you for Liking and Subscribing to this podcast

Thank you for sharing this episode with your loved ones, friends and community

--> Thank you for Tips or Donations:

https://ko-fi.com/cedorsett

https://patreon.com/cedorsett

Substack: https://www.creationspaths.com/

For all of the things we are doing at The Seraphic Grove go to Creation's Paths https://www.creationspaths.com/

For Educational Resource: https://wisdomscry.com

Guided Meditations Playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV0C8kiTKv0J2QAAlD1uaIJvQ3Sr9sIqO

Christopagan Playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV0C8kiTKv0ISXDQkZBRB7EHrUUJgXlGN

The Everything Playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV0C8kiTKv0Ln3eGW-tDk2R68PM6c182O

Creation's Paths Podcast: http://www.creationspaths.com/podcast

Church of the Oak Podcast: http://churchoftheoak.com/

Hallowstead Podcast: http://hallowstead.com/

Social Connections:

BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/creationspaths.com

Threads https://www.threads.net/@creationspaths

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/creationspaths/

## Chapters:

00:00 Introduction: Embracing Earthly and Spiritual Realms

00:43 Meet Charlie: A Christopagan Druid's Perspective

00:54 Creation Spirituality and Matthew Fox's Influence

02:12 The Historical Context: Neoplatonism and Early Christianity

05:19 Augustine's Struggle and the Concept of Original Sin

06:44 Modern Implications: Body Positivity and Sexual Ethics

08:20 The Dangers of Over-Spiritualization

11:39 The Role of Providence and Divination

11:57 The Fallacy of Predicting Doom

12:19 Spirituality and Moral Responsibility

14:07 The Dangers of Black and White Thinking

15:11 The Complexity of Historical Narratives

16:14 The Persistence of Systemic Injustices

18:46 The Nuances of Spirituality

20:08 Reflections on Repentance and Atonement

20:32 Closing Remarks and Community Engagement

The Promised Land is wherever you are—learn how to live in the sacred land of milk and honey.

--> Join and support the community: https://www.creationspaths.com/

In this episode of _Church of the Oak_, Charlie Dorsett explores the profound concept of the "Promised Land" and challenges the traditional views that associate it with specific geographical locations. They emphasize that the holy land is not a distant place to be fought over but rather is found wherever we are, in the present moment, through right relationships with others and the land. Drawing on their Christopagan Druid perspective, Charlie discusses the importance of embracing diversity, rejecting exclusivity, and fostering unity to build the true land of "milk and honey." They contrast the damaging, imperialistic view of land ownership with a more sacred and inclusive approach, advocating for compassion, community, and the protection of the environment. The episode encourages listeners to create their own sacred spaces and live in harmony with the earth and each other.

Thank you for Liking and Subscribing to this podcast

Thank you for sharing this episode with your loved ones, friends and community

--> Thank you for Tips or Donations:

https://ko-fi.com/cedorsett

https://patreon.com/cedorsett

Substack: https://www.creationspaths.com/

For all of the things we are doing at The Seraphic Grove go to Creation's Paths https://www.creationspaths.com/

For Educational Resource: https://wisdomscry.com

Guided Meditations Playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV0C8kiTKv0J2QAAlD1uaIJvQ3Sr9sIqO

Christopagan Playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV0C8kiTKv0ISXDQkZBRB7EHrUUJgXlGN

The Everything Playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV0C8kiTKv0Ln3eGW-tDk2R68PM6c182O

Creation's Paths Podcast: http://www.creationspaths.com/podcast

Church of the Oak Podcast: http://churchoftheoak.com/

Hallowstead Podcast: http://hallowstead.com/

Social Connections:

BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/creationspaths.com

Threads https://www.threads.net/@creationspaths

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/creationspaths/

## Chapters:

00:00 Introduction: Discovering the Promised Land

00:32 Welcome to the Church of the Oak

01:48 Understanding Sacredness and Ownership

05:13 The True Meaning of Hospitality

07:55 Empire and the Manipulation of Sacred Spaces

10:46 The Dark Side of Exclusion

11:15 The Problem with Division

12:10 Unity Through Diversity

13:33 Embracing Differences

14:39 Holding Faith with an Open Hand

15:57 Building the Holy Land

17:59 The Legend of the Fisher King

19:21 Creating Your Own Holy Land

20:07 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Events

Join the spiritual quest for the Tree of Life and find true meaning and purpose in our lives.

--> Join and support the community: https://www.creationspaths.com/

In this episode of _The Church of the Oak_, Charlie invites listeners on a symbolic spiritual quest to find the "Tree of Life," a concept deeply connected to interconnectedness and purpose. Drawing inspiration from the myth of the Voyage of Bran, Charlie explains how disenchantment in modern life has distanced us from our mystical roots and the vital tools our ancestors used to cope with the mysteries of existence. They explore the idea that true meaning comes not from power or wealth but from relationships, community, and the shared journey toward enlightenment and purpose. By reconnecting with symbols like the Tree of Life, Charlie encourages the audience to find their path and help others in a cooperative, compassionate way.

Thank you for Liking and Subscribing to this podcast

Thank you for sharing this episode with your loved ones, friends and community

--> Thank you for Tips or Donations:

https://ko-fi.com/cedorsett

https://patreon.com/cedorsett

Substack: https://www.creationspaths.com/

For all of the things we are doing at The Seraphic Grove go to Creation's Paths https://www.creationspaths.com/

For Educational Resource: https://wisdomscry.com

Guided Meditations Playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV0C8kiTKv0J2QAAlD1uaIJvQ3Sr9sIqO

Christopagan Playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV0C8kiTKv0ISXDQkZBRB7EHrUUJgXlGN

The Everything Playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV0C8kiTKv0Ln3eGW-tDk2R68PM6c182O

Creation's Paths Podcast: http://www.creationspaths.com/podcast

Church of the Oak Podcast: http://churchoftheoak.com/

Hallowstead Podcast: http://hallowstead.com/

Social Connections:

BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/creationspaths.com

Threads https://www.threads.net/@creationspaths

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/creationspaths/

## Chapters:

00:00 A Vision of Bran's Voyage

00:33 Introduction and Welcome

01:45 Understanding the Tree of Life

02:34 The Disenchantment of Modern Life

04:08 The Power of Interconnectedness

07:01 Lessons from the Tree

09:36 The Quest for the Tree of Life

11:44 The Power of a Dream

11:58 Seeking the Tree of Life

12:48 Living a Better Life

14:39 The Meaning of Life

16:00 The Quest for Life vs. The Quest for Gold

16:49 Rejecting the Fire of Moloch

18:23 The Path to the Tree of Life

18:59 The Voyage of Bran

20:33 The Importance of Relationships

21:35 Conclusion and Call to Action